Times of Services: After School: 3:00-7:30PM September 24, 2012 through June 14, 2013; Summer: 10:00AM-2:00PM July 9, 2013 through August 3, 2013

Abstract:
The Team Walker Learning Center will provide after school programming to Jersey City students from grades four through ten. The after school program will be housed at School Number 22 in Jersey City until the completion of the Team Walker Learning Center building which is expected to open in October 2012. The mission statement of the Team Walker Learning Center is to "uplift and create positive alternatives for the youth of Jersey City through programs designed to enlighten participants and teach the importance of solid academics, teamwork and sportsmanship." Team Walker was founded in 1996 with the personal savings of Jersey City native Jerry Walker. It was the programs that he joined that provided a foundation on which his success in professional basketball and on Wall Street, respectfully was built. Hundreds of lives are touched everyday by Team Walker, as the program's structured academic and recreational environment emphasizes teamwork, responsibility, persistance and unity in every aspect of the participant's life. Children involved in Team Walker have access to tutors, mentors, coaches and other role models, deeply committed to providing positive reinforcement and expert assistance.

Team Walker provides a safe and nurturing environment for students to spend their after school hours when parents or guardians may not be at home. The after school program will run from 3:00-7:30 pm each day that regular school is in session. Team Walker offers a wide variety of programs such as homework tutorial, mentoring, academic remediation, STEM integration, enrichment programs, community events, parenting workshops, family nights, class trips, guest speakers and recreational opportunities. Team Walker has selected the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) integration throughout the program day. The comprehensive Team Walker Learning Center will coordinate activities in academic remediation, academic enrichment, positive youth development, cultural and arts, health, nutrition, fitness and physical activity and parental involvement. A Summer STEM Academy Program will be coordinated during the summer months to benefit the Team Walker participants.

Team Walker will recruit from the following Jersey City Public Schools: PS #17 and #22. The after school program will service a variety of Jersey City Charter Schools such as Dr. Lena Edwards Charter School, Jersey City Community Charter Elementary School and the Jersey City Community Charter Middle School. The two non-public Jersey City Schools that Team Walker will reach out towards will be Saint Peter's Prep and Saint Anthony's High School.

The after school program will work with several partners and collaborators such as Saint Peter's College, Seton Hall University, Grow-a-Row Foundation, Jersey City Board of Education and the Jersey City Recreation Department. Team Walker will continue to increase their collaborative efforts with various community agencies in order to provide a well rounded after school experience. Parental and community involvement is essential for a successful after school program. Team Walker will reach out in several ways such as distribution of a monthly calendar and newsletter, parenting workshops, family fun nights, community outreach programs, after school showcases and the weatherization outreach efforts. Several class trips will be offered to Team Walker participants throughout the grant year such as the Newark Museum, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Cruise, Adventure Aquarium and the Museum of Natural History.

Professional development geared towards after school programming will be attended by the Team Walker administration and staff. Professional development will include monthly staff meetings, national conferences, state conferences, in-service staff meeting and webinars. Professional development will include after school best practices, sustainability, evaluation, recruitment and retention, action research and curriculum.

The Team Walker Learning Center will have a positive impact and provide an extended learning experience for the students of Jersey City.